Credit for Prior Learning Consulting & Training RFP.pdf

Request for Proposals

Credit for Prior Learning Consulting & Training

ISSUE DATE: July 17, 2025

ISSUING AGENCY: Bay de Noc Community College

2001 North Lincoln Road

Escanaba, MI 49829

ISSUING AGENT: Sherri Viau

Senior Accountant

Purpose Bay de Noc Community College, an institution of higher learning located in Escanaba, Michigan, is accepting proposals from qualified firms to serve as Consultant to the College for development of a Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process, as well as to offer CPL professional development opportunities to key faculty, staff, and advisors, as further described in this Request for Proposals (“RFP”).

The information provided is intended to assist Firms to respond completely to this RFP. It is not intended to limit a proposal’s content or to exclude any relevant or essential data. Firms are encouraged to include additional information that will substantiate their product quality and service capabilities.

Background Located in the heart of Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, Bay de Noc Community College (commonly known as Bay

College) has provided quality higher education for 60+ years. Founded in 1962, Bay College is known in the region for its superior teaching and abundant learning. The Escanaba campus is situated on 150 acres and serves over 5,000 credit students each year, including those completing baccalaureate and master’s degree programs sponsored by partnering universities.

Since the early 1970's, Bay College has had a presence in Dickinson County. In 2003, a 25-acre parcel on the north side of Iron Mountain was donated to Bay College. The voters in Dickinson County approved a one mill tax increase to support the construction, maintenance and operation of a new 67,000 sq. ft. facility, matching the State of Michigan's construction funds of $6 million. Groundbreaking was held in the spring of 2006 and the facility opened in the fall of 2007. Through a unique contractual relationship with the Dickinson County Board of Commissioners, the College has been able to move forward in offering a strong core of transfer degrees and occupational programs to support the local workforce.

Bay College has a strong history of dedicating itself to offering academically excellent and affordable public education in our region. The College prepares students to be continuous learners who succeed upon transfer, work effectively in the contemporary workplace, and function as productive citizens and leaders in their communities.

Bay College is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees, elected from the citizens of Delta County at-large and responsible for setting policy for the College. With its "open door" enrollment policy, Bay College has consistently focused on serving its constituents with a variety of quality educational programs and training options at a reasonable cost. As a result, a high level of support and excellent working relationships exist between the College and local high schools, business and industry establishments, and community members.

At Bay College,

• we enhance people's lives through wide ranging quality educational opportunities;

• we embody a personalized, caring, innovative, learning-centered environment;

• we embrace excellence, dedication, integrity, responsiveness, and respect;

• and we empower people to make positive changes in their lives and communities.

Mission

Student Success, Community Success, Culture of Success

Vision The College of choice where people thrive, workforces excel, communities connect and lives transform.

Cultural Beliefs

I AM CHANGE

I create change by overcoming my fears.

RESPECT

I value diverse perspectives and experiences and collaborate with positive intent.

LET'S TALK

I exchange ideas thoughtfully and courageously to facilitate positive outcomes.

FEED ME

I listen objectively to feedback and reflect to improve my performance.

CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS

I clarify goals and expectations first so I can align and manage competing priorities.

STAY FOCUSED

I contribute to every student's success.

Campus Locations:

Main Campus: 2001 N. Lincoln Rd, Escanaba MI 49829

West Campus: 2801 N US 2 41, Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Scope of Services The purpose of this RFP is to obtain information that will enable Bay College to select a Firm to assist the College with the process of developing a Credit for Prior Learning policy and procedures, and equipping faculty and staff with the knowledge and best practices to execute such a program. The Firm will work with the College to implement this scope of work for a timeline to be determined and as negotiated, but with an end date no later than November 2027.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a process by which a student obtains college credit for skills and knowledge gained outside of the traditional academic environment such as job experience, professional development, time spent in the military, etc. CPL improves education-to-career pathways for adult learners by reducing time to degree completion which in-turn saves the student time and money, increasing graduation rates, and providing an overall more positive experience for adult learners by acknowledging that the skills and knowledge they already have are valuable and worthy of credit towards their certificate or degree.

The successful Firm will work with Bay College to execute the Scope of Services outlined below. The parameters of Bay

College’s CPL program are subject to change at the discretion of the College.

1. Develop Credit for Prior Learning Policy and Procedures

The Firm will assist Bay College in developing a Credit for Prior Learning policy and procedures. The Firm will conduct an assessment of Bay College’s strengths and challenges serving adult learners through engagement with adult learners, staff, and faculty. The Firm will work with the College to review current policies and procedures that could support CPL, and will provide recommendations about CPL policy and procedures with a focus on national best practices. The result of the assessment and the subsequent recommendations will be provided by the Firm to the College in a written report.

2. Identify, Develop, and Facilitate Professional Development Workshops for College Faculty and Staff

The Firm will provide professional development opportunities to Bay College faculty and staff through workshops and/or presentations with the following goals:

• Create buy-in for CPL

• Provide the knowledge and skills needed to implement a CPL program and empower faculty and staff to execute such a program

• Identify an explicit process for identifying and awarding CPL to students

• Equip faculty and staff with the tools and knowledge to assess students’ prior learning including students with prior military experience

The Firm can propose other workshop topics as they see fit as the Firm is expected to be the expert on the topic and may know of other topic areas needed to develop a successful CPL program.

The College hopes to have the workshops offered through a mix of in-person and virtual opportunities.

3. Identify and Develop Crosswalk Templates

The Firm will develop crosswalk templates that evaluate a student’s prior learning and experiences and provide recommendations on applicable college credits. The Firm will review and compare applicable course learning outcomes with industry certifications, licensures, apprenticeships, employer trainings, etc. to identify connections, and then provide specific recommendations on these connections to the College through crosswalk documents. The College will then review and decide whether or not to implement these crosswalks.

Proposal Requirements The Firm must include the following in its proposal:

• Narrative – Bidders shall provide an overview of how the services detailed in the scope of work will be implemented and the timeframes involved. A detailed budget to perform the scope of work must be provided with a breakdown of the cost of each service. The total cost of all services must also be included in the Proposal.

• Organizational Experience and Capacity – Bidders shall describe their qualifications to do the work as outlined, including experience providing technical assistance, serving adult learners, and collaborating with community colleges to develop CPL programs. Additionally, information regarding the Bidders’ current organizational capacity should be included to evidence an ability to fulfill the requirements set forth in the scope of work.

Additionally,

• Proposals shall include completed Company Profile – Exhibit A.

• Proposals shall include a Familial Disclosure Form (form must be notarized) – Exhibit B.

• Proposals shall include an Iran Economic Sanctions Act Certification Form – Exhibit C.

The College reserves the right to enter into a contract for services of any duration. All responses to the RFP must identify the minimum duration of a contract for services that the bidder seeks.

Qualifications and Standards of Performance

• The contractor shall have a successful history of providing services describe in the Scope of Work for a minimum of five (5) years.

• All persons performing work on this project shall be fully qualified to perform the services required.

• All work shall be performed within the time specified in the written estimate.

Conflict of Interest:

Affirm in proposal that the Firm and its employees who will be providing the services in this contract are free from obligation and interests that might conflict with Bay de Noc Community College or the State of Michigan. Disclose any information about the Firm and its employees that presently or in the future could impair their ability to provide the required level of services.

Evaluation Criteria:

The contract to provide the Firm services will be awarded to the bidder who, solely within the discretion of the College, is determined to be most responsive to meeting the needs of the College. A rubric will be used to score proposals with points awarded based on the following criteria.

1. Ability to adhere to project timeline, completing all activities by November 2027.

2. Experience with and qualifications to implement the services outlined in the Scope of Services.

3. Alignment of proposal with Bay College’s goals and desires for implementing a Credit for Prior Learning program.

4. Overall suitability to provide the services outlined in the RFP within the time, budget, and operational constraints that may be present.

5. Fee and expense proposal for the cost of the service.

Pricing Discounts:

Please provide the most favorable pricing Bay College is eligible to receive. The College is eligible for State of Michigan and higher education discounted pricing. In addition, the College is a member of several cooperative purchasing organizations including: E& I Cooperative Services, MHEC, NASPO, NCPA, OMNIA Partners, Sourcewell and MiDeal. If pricing is being quoted according to one of the discounts mentioned above (or other available discount), please specify and reference the contract number, term and point of contact, if applicable.

General Instructions and Additional Terms

1. This RFP is not a binding offer by the College and acceptance of the terms of this RFP by any Proposer shall not create a binding contract with the College. Bay College reserves the right to negotiate the terms and conditions of any agreement that may result from this RFP process, including the terms set forth herein and in any proposal. Any future contract that may be awarded must comply with College procurement requirements.

2. A proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall constitute an offer of the Proposer. The signature of a person who is legally authorized to execute contractual obligations on behalf of the Proposer shall indicate acknowledgment of this condition. A Proposer acknowledges that the College may accept a submission in response to this RFP in whole or in part. Proposer acknowledges its acceptance of all terms and conditions as set https://www.eandi.org/contract-finder/?list=higher-ed https://www.mhec.org/contracts https://www.naspo.org/ https://www.ncpa.us/ https://www.omniapartners.com/ https://www.sourcewell-mn.gov/ https://www.michigan.gov/dtmb/0,5552,7-358-82550_85753---,00.html forth herein, unless the response specifically indicates otherwise. A Proposer shall identify clearly and thoroughly any variations between its proposal and the RFP in the cover letter. Failure to do so shall be deemed a waiver of any rights to subsequently modify the terms of any contract that may result from this RFP, except as outlined or specified in the RFP. The College reserves the right to waive any irregularity in the RFP process or any

Proposal, and the right to award any Contract to an entity or person that is not the Proposer submitting the lowest bid.

3. The College reserves the right in its sole discretion to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all Proposals with or without cause, to extend the due date, to waive technicalities in the documents or repost prior to award of the Contract. The College reserves the right to request additional information from any or all Proposers, including an oral interview to discuss, clarify, and answer any questions regarding the Proposal.

4. Proposers may not contact any College employee directly to discuss this RFP. All correspondence or questions concerning the RFP should be addressed to the Senior Accountant.

5. All questions will be responded to by addendum and posted to the College’s website as time permits. The timing of any question or answer shall have no bearing on the response deadline.

6. Proposals may be withdrawn by written request from Proposer prior to the date and time established for the opening. Proposals submitted early may be modified or withdrawn prior to the submission deadline. Any modified or resubmitted Proposal shall be submitted in the same fashion as required by this RFP and shall be worded so as not to reveal the amount of the original proposed sum. Proposals submitted and not timely modified or withdrawn shall be irrevocable for a minimum period of ninety (90) calendar days following the submission deadline.

7. All late proposals will be rejected.

8. All proposals must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the Firm; all unsigned proposals will be rejected. By submitting a Proposal, each Proposer is attesting to the following: (a) Proposer has read and understands the RFP and project requirements and the Proposal is made in accordance therewith, (b) Proposer warrants that it is familiar with the scope of work to be performed, and (c) Proposer’s price is based upon all required work, personnel, supplies, materials and equipment, taxes and other costs described in the RFP and in accordance with all terms and conditions without exception.

9. Collusive Bidding and Relationship Disclosure.

a. The Proposer certifies that its Proposal is made without any previous understanding, agreement or connection with any person, Firm, or company making a Proposal for the same project and is in all respects fair and without outside control, collusion, fraud, or other illegal action.

10. Proposal prices must be good for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of opening.

11. Each Proposer submitting its Proposal releases the College from any and all claims arising out of, and related to, the RFP process and the selection of a Firm.

12. There is no express or implied obligation for the College to reimburse Firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request. If selected, start-up costs, if any, must be included in the bid amount.

13. Invoices are paid monthly for work completed or as negotiated in the executed contract.

14. The College’s payment terms are net 30 days.

The Proposer will act as an independent contractor with respect to the College in the performance of its duties and under no circumstance shall any of the employees of one party be deemed the employees of the other for any purpose.

Accordingly, the Proposer shall meet all of its obligations and responsibilities for payment of all taxes including Federal, State and Local taxes arising out of Proposer's activities, including by way of illustration but not limitation, Federal and

State income tax, Social Security tax, Unemployment Insurance taxes, Workers’ Compensation Insurance and any other taxes or business license fees as required. The Proposer shall not be considered an employee of the College, nor is

Proposer entitled to participate in any plans, arrangements, or distributions by the College pertaining to or in connection with any fringe, pension, bonus, profit sharing, or similar benefits, or any medical, dental, life or disability insurance plans.

Proposal Inquiries:

Inquiries concerning proposals should be directed to Sherri Viau, Senior Accountant at sherri.viau@baycollege.edu or

(906) 217-4070. Inquiries must be initiated by August 4, 2025.

Responses to inquiries and clarification requests will be posted on mybay →Bay College Community tab→ Request for

Proposal→ Credit for Prior Learning Services https://mybay.baycollege.edu/ICS/Community/Request_for_Proposal.jnz.

Proposal Due Date:

Mailed proposals must be received at the Escanaba campus (2001 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829) no later than

August 11, 2025, 1:00 pm ET. Potential bidders wanting to use Sigma VSS to submit proposal must sign up and create a Sigma VSS account. Proposals that do not include the required exhibits as noted under the Proposal Requirements section above, will not be considered.

Proposal Copies:

Prospective Bidders send one original and 2 copies of the proposal, enclosed in one sealed box or other package, in a manner that assures receipt by the proposal due date. Package must be sealed and designated prominently “Credit for

Prior Learning Services”. All proposals must be received at 2001 N Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829 or through Sigma

VSS by the RFP deadline. We do not accept emailed proposals.

Notification Date:

Notification to the successful Proposer will be by August 18, 2025. The selection is not finalized until a contract acceptable to the College is executed by both parties. If the Firm does not agree to the terms proposed by the College, the College has no obligation to continue negotiations and may select another Firm.

Insurance Requirements:

Prior to commencing work, the Proposer shall provide the College evidence of the following insurance coverage:

a. Comprehensive General Liability having a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence covering contractual liability and products/completed operations;

b. Worker’s Compensation insurance having limits not less than those required by applicable statute;

c. Property Damage coverage in an amount not less than $100,000 for damage.

d. Business Automobile Liability insurance having a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence covering claims arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of owned or non-owned automobiles.

Verbal Instruction Procedure:

No negotiations, decisions, or actions shall be initiated or executed by the Firm as a result of any discussions with any

Bay College employee. Only this document may be considered as a duly authorized expression on behalf of Bay College.

Only those communications that are signed and in writing will be recognized by the College as duly authorized expressions on behalf of Firm.

mailto:sherri.viau@baycollege.edu https://mybay.baycollege.edu/ICS/Community/Request_for_Proposal.jnz

Freedom of Information Disclosure:

Ownership of all data, materials and documentation originated and prepared for the College pursuant to the RFP shall belong exclusively to the College and be subject to public inspection in accordance with the Michigan Freedom of

Information Act.

Equal Opportunity:

It shall be the policy of the Bay de Noc Community College Board of Trustees to assure the provisions of equal opportunity and equal access in educational acts and employment. These provisions apply in all areas of employment, student services, and instructional programs. Discrimination because of any legally protected status, which includes but is not limited to, race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex, national origin, political affiliation, age, height, weight, disability, marital or veteran status is prohibited in accordance with state and federal law.

Questions concerning Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, should be directed to the College's Title IX Coordinator at 906-217-4031.

Non-Discrimination:

The Proposer in bidding, quoting and/or fulfilling a purchase order shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of any legally protected status, which includes but is not limited to, race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex, national origin, political affiliation, age, height, weight, disability, marital or veteran status in accordance with state and federal law.

Cost:

Any costs associated with preparing proposals in response to this RFP are the sole responsibility of the Proposer.

Acceptance or Rejection of Proposal:

Bay de Noc Community College, may at its sole discretion, reject any or all proposals received, or waive minor defects, irregularities, or informalities therein.

Projected Timeline:

July 17, 2025 RFP released

August 4, 2025 Deadline for questions

August 11, 2025, 1:00pm ET

Deadline for proposals to be submitted

August 18, 2025 Notification of successful bidder

ASAP Bidder submit contract to Bay College for review mailto:dave.laur@baycollege.edu?subject=